WASHINGTON -- National Security Agency whistle-blower Edward Snowden has been slammed by some as a “coward” for refusing to turn himself in to U.S. authorities and face espionage charges for shedding light on secret surveillance programs. But one of the lawyers involved in the Vietnam-era Pentagon Papers case has said that Snowden was justified in seeking sanctuary in Russia.

In a Friday interview on "The Agenda" on SiriusXM Progress, Daniel Sheehan said that Snowden wouldn’t receive a fair trial if he returned to the U.S.

“No American citizen in their right mind would trust the honesty and the objectivity of the American judicial system at this time in history,” Sheehan said. “They are not trustworthy. The majority of the United States Supreme Court is not trustworthy. They have given themselves over to this same national security state mentality.”

Russia has granted Snowden temporary asylum for one year. Earlier this month, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called Russia's actions a betrayal. The senator went on to label Snowden a "coward."
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